June 11
Bible Reading: Acts 3:9-12
Acts 3:12, “And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”
Webster’s Dictionary defines a miracle as “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” That’s what we find here in our chapter, for the healing of the lame beggar was both extraordinary, and not by human hands, but through divine intervention. The crowd was utterly astounded at what they saw, but Peter and John were quick to divert attention from themselves but to Jesus.
The miraculous nature of the man’s healing was extraordinarily obvious, inasmuch as it happened instantly, dramatically, resulting in the man being restored to perfect health. God is in the miracle-working business. That’s what He does. And though the results might not always be so sudden or dramatic, they are nonetheless things that have happened only by His intervention. The salvation of a sinner, whereby he, who was dead in his sins, is made alive in Christ, is a miracle. How many times has God worked to deliver you or me from seen or unseen troubles? Those are miracles, too. Every step heavenward in our Christian journeys is a step made by the divine working of God. And it’ll be a miracle when He works to “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Of course, He intervenes in countless other ways, for nothing is impossible for Him!
Peter and John were quick to clarify that what happened did not happen through their “power or piety.” It didn’t come about because of their strength or their religiosity. Instead, they gladly diverted the attention of the crowd to Jesus. Jesus, who had performed countless miracles while on earth, performed this miracle from heaven! Peter and John responded, as should we all in the things that we do, as Jesus taught, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Though God is pleased to use human instruments, He is not dependent on any of us (2 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9). Our response then should always be, “Don’t look at us, look to Jesus.” Any good in me has come from Him!
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.” – Psalm 115:1
JESUS, WE BLESS THY POW’R
Jesus, we bless thy pow’r;
Thy grace, we honour more;
Such love as thine, it must subdue
To worship, love, adore.
The blind, the dumb, the deaf
A word, a touch relieves;
The wither’d arm, at thy command
New strength, O Lord, receives.
Lepers, who long had groan’d
Beneath the weight of pain;
The palsied limbs—the dying—dead—
Are all made whole again.
Legions of hell, obey
Thy dread, almighty word;
The Jews and Gentiles dispossest,
Give glory to the Lord.
Come, great Physician, come!
In spirit, Christ, display
Thy healing, cleansing, gracious pow’rs,
And take av’n death away.
LookingtoJesus 